WHEELING NAILERS HIRE FORMER AHL HEAD COACH

WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers announce today they have hired Glenn Patrick as the Head Coach for the 2005-06 season. As per club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Patrick brings over six years of AHL coaching experience to the Nailers. He started his coaching career in 1982-83 with the Peoria Prancers of the IHL. Patrick didn't coach again professionally until 1997-98 when he was named assistant coach of the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. After two seasons with Syracuse, he was named the head coach of the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In four years with the Baby Penguins, Patrick guided the team to a 115-152-38-15 record and an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 2001. Most recently, he has been a professional scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while living in Wilkes-Barre.

The native of New York, NY began his professional playing career with Kansas City in the CHL in 1970, and progressed through the minor leagues before reaching the NHL in 1973 with the St. Louis Blues. Patrick appeared in 38 games in the NHL during stints with the Blues, California Seals, and Cleveland Barons, as well as the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA. In 1970 and 1978 Patrick was a member of the U.S. National team and played in the World Championships in the former Czechoslovakia in 1978.

"I'm very excited to get back into coaching, and can't wait to get back behind the bench," said Patrick on his return to coaching. "I know what direction Wilkes-Barre is going, and what type of players they are expecting us to have. We have very high expectations for next season, with the guys we have already signed and we are going to be going after some other pretty skilled players."

"We are extremely excited to have Glenn on board as our coach. Over the past few years we have gotten to know Glenn very well, he's very passionate about coaching and knows what it takes to win," said Nailers President Jim Brooks. "We believe Glenn is a great fit for both our organization and the Ohio Valley."

Patrick comes from a long line of Patrick Family members to work in professional hockey. His grandfather, Lester, one of the legendary builders of the game, served as head coach and GM of the New York Rangers, winning three Stanley Cups. His father, Lynn, was an all-star winger for the Rangers, became head coach of the club and later served as GM for the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. And his brother Craig, was GM of the Rangers, and currently is the GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Glenn is also the father of current Nailers forward Curtiss Patrick.

"I am hoping to make Wilkes-Barre's team, but if I don't I will be excited because he's been teaching me hockey my whole life. I feel that I will match up with what he is looking for in a player," said Nailers forward and Coach Patrick's son Curtiss Patrick.

The Wheeling Nailers Sweepstakes is now under way. Purchase any ticket package for the Nailers 2005-2006 season and be entered to win fabulous prizes such as a trip to Cancun, Mexico, or tickets to see the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins or Cleveland Cavaliers. Call the Nailers ticket office at 304-234-4625 or toll free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX to enter to win or enter on-line at The Wheeling Nailers' official website